Social Anxiety Support

shyvr6 · 09-25-2009, 02:23 PM

I was wondering how hard is it to program a motherboard and cpu with the bios, etc.? I was thinking about getting a new motherboard and cpu for gaming, but I'm afraid I won't know what to do if I got them, because I'm only a novice when it comes to computers. Should I just take it someplace or try it myself? Thanks.

rincewind · 09-25-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shyvr6

I was wondering how hard is it to program a motherboard and cpu with the bios, etc.? I was thinking about getting a new motherboard and cpu for gaming, but I'm afraid I won't know what to do if I got them, because I'm only a novice when it comes to computers. Should I just take it someplace or try it myself? Thanks.

Do you mean configuring the BIOS settings after you install a new motherboard? Usually the default settings will be OK for most systems, and the motherboard manual should give at least a brief explanation of the options anyway. If there are any you're unsure about, a quick Google search with the name of the setting should provide much more information.

ecotec83 · 09-25-2009, 09:15 PM

I've built 5 computers from scratch over the last 10 year and just about every motherboard has worked great out of the box. Some required a bit of tweaking to get the most performance out of the Ram. Most come with a very good manual that explains the settings in detail(gaming boards especially) The only things that you really need to watch is that the motherboard can handle the ram, videocard and processor. Tigerdirect and Ncix usually have great information on boards and other computer items.

zookeeper · 09-25-2009, 09:19 PM

It's easy. You probably won't even have to touch the bios. The ones I've built I've just plugged everything in and it's worked. Just do some research on the parts you want, make sure they'll work together, and then the building is the easy part.

shyvr6 · 09-25-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rincewind

Do you mean configuring the BIOS settings after you install a new motherboard?

Yeah, that's what I meant. Like setting up the primary and slave drives as an example. Well after reading the responses I think I have a little more hope, lol. Thanks everyone.

rincewind · 09-26-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shyvr6

Yeah, that's what I meant. Like setting up the primary and slave drives as an example.

Do you have IDE or Serial ATA drives? If you have SATA you don't need to worry about master/slave settings at all, you just plug them in and they'll work. If you don't know which type you have, check the cables and connectors - IDE cables are the wide flat ribbon type with a similar size connector, SATA cables are much smaller and have an "L" shaped connector.

redtogo72 · 09-26-2009, 04:57 AM

For SATA, don't you access the bios to change master/slave settings? And at least on WD SATA drives, "jumper settings enable or disable enterprise-level features." (http://www.wdc.com/en/library/eide/2579-001037.pdf) Whatever that means lol.

Hardest part for me was finding the parts: making sure they will give me the best performance for your budget and that they are compatible with each other. You could check out Neowin and AnandTech for examples of builds and even ask them additional questions.

Installing it isn't difficult and generally straight forward. It will just take you some time. You might also need a new case and ram. And a good 3d card is important if you want to play games. Another option is to buy a barebones PC where the more labor intensive components of the computer have already been installed for you.

For sales I'd check http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?f=9 and http://forums.anandtech.com/categori...d=40&forumid=1.

njodis · 09-27-2009, 07:42 PM

Really, if you're going to get a new motherboard and CPU for gaming, you may as well go all the way and build a brand new computer. Chances are your RAM will be old and incompatible, your video card will be severely outdated, etc. For Americans, I believe newegg.com is generally considered to be the best place to buy computer parts, by far. The Canadian newegg site is... shall we say... horrid.

Phibes · 09-27-2009, 08:45 PM

If you buy a new motherboard and cpu, you might find that your RAM won't work with the new setup. Your other stuff like HDD/PCI cards etc will be cool. Just the ram might need upgrading too. The safe bet would be just get a (Motherboard, CPU, RAM) all in one hit. If you have a decent PSU (powersupply) to begin with you won't need to replace it.

Then once you build it. Open bios which is usually the 'Delete key' upon startup and you can overclock the cpu if you want by increasing 'FSB' (frontside bus) speed and 'muliplier' and also cpu voltage because the higher you overclock the more voltage it'll need but you have to be careful. It's safe to overclock it a little bit but taking it further you might get some instability/overheating. My dual core athlon is a 2.4ghz stock and I've clocked it to 2.6. (basic low overclock with no risk, 200 free ghz).
I also overclock my GPU with a program called 'Rivatuner' and it's great, I gain like 30fps in Counter-strike source.

Computers are awesome dude. You will be a pro in no time.

njodis · 09-27-2009, 08:58 PM

I wouldn't really tell someone who has never built a computer before to start randomly overclocking and messing with voltages...

09-25-2009, 02:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
shyvr6 Status: Makin Waves Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Somewhere on a map. Gender: Male Posts: 9,645	Motherboard I was wondering how hard is it to program a motherboard and cpu with the bios, etc.? I was thinking about getting a new motherboard and cpu for gaming, but I'm afraid I won't know what to do if I got them, because I'm only a novice when it comes to computers. Should I just take it someplace or try it myself? Thanks. __________________ Music

09-25-2009, 09:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
ecotec83 Status: Ascending from the dark Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Belleville, Ontario, Canada Gender: Male Age: 26 Posts: 367	I've built 5 computers from scratch over the last 10 year and just about every motherboard has worked great out of the box. Some required a bit of tweaking to get the most performance out of the Ram. Most come with a very good manual that explains the settings in detail(gaming boards especially) The only things that you really need to watch is that the motherboard can handle the ram, videocard and processor. Tigerdirect and Ncix usually have great information on boards and other computer items. __________________ ~Our greatest battles are those with our own mind.~

09-25-2009, 09:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
zookeeper Status: The floor is lava!! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Soap Fortress Gender: Male Age: 30 Posts: 1,067	It's easy. You probably won't even have to touch the bios. The ones I've built I've just plugged everything in and it's worked. Just do some research on the parts you want, make sure they'll work together, and then the building is the easy part. __________________ You leapt into the abyss, but find It only goes up to your knees, ~ Nick Cave

09-26-2009, 04:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
redtogo72 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 78	For SATA, don't you access the bios to change master/slave settings? And at least on WD SATA drives, "jumper settings enable or disable enterprise-level features." (http://www.wdc.com/en/library/eide/2579-001037.pdf) Whatever that means lol. Hardest part for me was finding the parts: making sure they will give me the best performance for your budget and that they are compatible with each other. You could check out Neowin and AnandTech for examples of builds and even ask them additional questions. Installing it isn't difficult and generally straight forward. It will just take you some time. You might also need a new case and ram. And a good 3d card is important if you want to play games. Another option is to buy a barebones PC where the more labor intensive components of the computer have already been installed for you. For sales I'd check http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?f=9 and http://forums.anandtech.com/categori...d=40&forumid=1.

09-27-2009, 07:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
njodis Status: kermit in shock Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: ontario Gender: Male Posts: 7,718	Really, if you're going to get a new motherboard and CPU for gaming, you may as well go all the way and build a brand new computer. Chances are your RAM will be old and incompatible, your video card will be severely outdated, etc. For Americans, I believe newegg.com is generally considered to be the best place to buy computer parts, by far. The Canadian newegg site is... shall we say... horrid.

09-27-2009, 08:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
Phibes Status: blessed with lucky sevens Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia. Gender: Male Age: 21 Posts: 640	If you buy a new motherboard and cpu, you might find that your RAM won't work with the new setup. Your other stuff like HDD/PCI cards etc will be cool. Just the ram might need upgrading too. The safe bet would be just get a (Motherboard, CPU, RAM) all in one hit. If you have a decent PSU (powersupply) to begin with you won't need to replace it. Then once you build it. Open bios which is usually the 'Delete key' upon startup and you can overclock the cpu if you want by increasing 'FSB' (frontside bus) speed and 'muliplier' and also cpu voltage because the higher you overclock the more voltage it'll need but you have to be careful. It's safe to overclock it a little bit but taking it further you might get some instability/overheating. My dual core athlon is a 2.4ghz stock and I've clocked it to 2.6. (basic low overclock with no risk, 200 free ghz). I also overclock my GPU with a program called 'Rivatuner' and it's great, I gain like 30fps in Counter-strike source. Computers are awesome dude. You will be a pro in no time.

09-27-2009, 08:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
njodis Status: kermit in shock Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: ontario Gender: Male Posts: 7,718	I wouldn't really tell someone who has never built a computer before to start randomly overclocking and messing with voltages...